Ezra Pound famously said that patrons are equal to the artists they support, as they help in “building art into the world.” For art to evolve and sustain itself, it needs a community of believers. India’s ﬁrst biennale, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), founded in 2012, has, over two editions, not only claimed a prime spot on the cultural calendar but is also one of the few artist led institutions in the country thriving on both government and private funding.

Opening December 12 and stretching over 108 days, sea-facing heritage properties and abandoned warehouses will turn into exhibition spaces, even as locals and visitors engage with both the art and the artists, transforming the city of Kochi into a leading destination in India for Contemporary art. With the third edition curated by Sudarshan Shetty just around the corner, we gather a handful of the patrons who have made KMB 2016 a reality.

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FEROZE GUJRAL

Founding Patron of Kochi-Muziris Biennale/Founder, The Gujral Foundation, Delhi“The ﬁrst edition was an experiment, the second helped establish us. The third will be a test of whether KMB is a world-class art property in a well curated way. I can’t wait to ﬁnd out!”

Image: Neville Sukhia

VIVAN SUNDARAM

Artist, Delhi
“What’s great about the KMB is that it is artist-led. Sudarshan Shetty is an exceptional artist; his work is subtle, ambitious and he comes with a very open outlook. I’m sure he’ll do something interesting and I’m excited to see his vision unfold at the Biennale this year. But I also have a complaint. While we have a number of women artists exhibiting, it’s time we have a woman curate the next edition. And this isn’t some sort of tokenism. Contemporary Indian art is strong because of its women artists, from Amrita Sher-Gil to Shilpa Gupta. They’re leading the way.”

Image: Neville Sukhia

POONAM BHAGAT SHROFF

Trustee, Nirlon Foundation Trust, Mumbai
“I have long been a fan of Sudarshan Shetty’s work. It combines wit and humor with social and political commentary, and I am looking forward to seeing his vision for the Biennale.”

Image: Neville Sukhia

RADHIKA CHOPRA

Founder, No. 3 Clive Road/ Advisory Board Member, Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA), DelhiMost looking forward to: Chilean poet Raúl Zurita and his poetry in situ at Kochi. First visit: It all begins at Aspinwall House. Secret haunt: Seagull, for the best fish curry in Fort Kochi. It overlooks the Calvathy River with amazing views across the bay.

Image: Neville Sukhia

PRIYA PAUL

Director, Apeejay Surrendra Group/ Chairperson, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, New Delhi
“The government has, by and large, not understood the Contemporary art space and this sector has limited funding. Until they realize how much art contributes to the evolution of a society and culture, and decide to actively support it, private and corporate patronage will continue to be prominent players. Infrastructural development is integral for art to prosper, and private funding might come with its own agenda. So it shouldn’t really be a question of this versus that, ideally both should come together to fund the arts.”

Image: Neville Sukhia

SHIREEN GANDHY AND KURUSH JUNGALWALA

Art Gallerist and Businessman, Mumbai
Most looking forward to: I (Gandhy) was on the selection board for the curator of KMB 2016. We deliberated greatly on the choice of the curator until we came to a consensus on Sudarshan Shetty. He has a unique vision one that explores scale, performative elements and tradition. I am now curious to see how he will explore this within the Kochi context.

An artist you can’t wait to see: Yardena Kurulkar.

Must-do: Feast on prawn mango curry on the banks of the Kochi backwaters at Fort House Kochi.

Image: Neville Sukhia

PHEROZA GODREJ

Founder, Cymroza Gallery, Mumbai
Exhibition trail: Start with Aspinwall, and then on to Cabral Yard, Dutch Warehouse, and ﬁnally Calvathy Jetty. Biennale break: The Pepper House restaurant is a great place to unwind it has a bookshop, holds exhibitions and serves great food.

Image: Neville Sukhia

TINKY MATHEW AND ISAAC ALEXANDER

Co-owners, Pepper House, Kochi
“The transformation that Fort Kochi undergoes for the few months during the Biennale is remarkable. It’s not just the amazing art that goes up in all the historic locations, giving them new life, but also the transformation of the community. It becomes an art-centric community, and it’s great to see the interaction between the art and people.”

Image: Neville Sukhia

DINESH AND MINAL VAZIRANI

Co-founders, Saffronart, Mumbai
“We’re excited about Sudarshan Shetty’s curatorial vision and keen to experience how his artistic practice a conﬂuence of poetry, dance, theatre and politics will engage the viewer. His process of extending art across genres, media and boundaries will result in a larger discussion for collectors, artists and institutions. Kochi itself provides the perfect immersive experience for art, and we look forward to learning, observing and having the opportunity to question our perspective through this Biennale.”